New 5-year validity digital ID coming to South Africa
The Department of Home Affairs has gazetted draft regulations to pave the way for a digital ID in the country.
As part of the proposed laws, the department has outlined the process for obtaining a digital ID and its validity period, which is set for renewal every five years, at no apparent cost.
According to the department, the draft amendments are to give effect to work underway at the DHA to support secure digital ID credentials alongside physical ID cards.
The amendments will prescribe standards for enrolment, biometric capture, and identity assurance for digital identity credentials, and establish a framework for secure data-sharing and verification services.
The DHA said the system will reinforce the role of the population register as the authoritative record of identity and civic-status information, subject to applicable privacy and access-to-information laws.
Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber said the draft regulations are the ultimate expression of the vision to leverage digital transformation to deliver the “Home Affairs @ home” plan.
“This system can greatly enhance our ability to combat identity theft, financial crimes, corruption and illegal immigration, while delivering efficient services to citizens in the comfort of their own homes and improving privacy protections and data management,” he said.
Schreiber added that the department is already working with other government departments and the presidency to align the system with the state’s broader goals of digitalising services.
“Technical work is well underway, and the finalisation of these regulations will enable us to complete our digital service delivery revolution by bringing services right onto your smart device,” he said.
Digital ID valid for 5 years
Broadly, the system will act as an additional form of identity without affecting the validity of physical identity cards.
However, it will establish a more convenient verification system with different “assurance levels”, which will require a more frequent renewal process.
The draft regulations indicate that the digital ID will be made available through the MyMzansi app and will work via NFC (i.e., tap-and-go), Bluetooth, or QR codes.
Once a digital ID has been obtained, it will be available in the app on the holder’s smartphone.
However, applying for a digital ID can only be done through in-person enrolment at “an accredited enrolment point”.
This is because each ID needs to be issued by the DHA Director-General after it has been verified against the population register.
Accredited enrolment points are DHA offices, South African foreign missions, ports of entry, or specified branches or premises of accredited trusted entities.
The regulations propose that the ID is valid for 5 years from the date of issue or last renewal, with holders notified no less than 90 days before expiry via the app that it must be renewed.
While the digital ID may require more frequent renewals, there are three important notes:
The first is that a holder may renew a digital identity credential by simply confirming their identity through facial biometric verification (or any other method to be determined by the DG).
Upon successful renewal, a new digital identity credential will be issued, valid for five years from the date of renewal.
The second note is that the application and renewal of the ID do not appear to carry any cost.
The draft regulations note that the in-person enrolment will be available free of charge at DHA offices equipped to receive applications.
The costs for enrolment at locations are more questionable, as the draft regulations state only that the ID enrolment will be at “no additional cost beyond prescribed identity document fees” at private-sector enrolment points.
The third important note is that the digital ID is not compulsory.
The department stressed that the issuance of a digital ID credential does not affect the validity of any physical identity card held by the same person. Holders can use either form of ID as proof of identity.
Interested persons who wish to comment on the draft regulations can do so by submitting written submissions to the DHA on or before 6 June 2026.
The full draft regulation can be read below:
Loading ...